Pocahontas Reese – Watch and Pray

Songwriter Pocahontas Reese owns a YouTube channel without any commercial releases.  She asked me to review her song Watch and Pray.

Also, check out my review of Hear His Voice.

Note to new users: This is a different kind of review site!  Read About the Berean Test and Evaluation Criteria prior to reading this review.

1. What message does the song communicate?

This song is about Reese warning us to remain vigilant, watching and waiting for signs of Christ’s eventual return to earth.  It will come when we least expect it.  In the meantime, the Father draws us near to Himself, guiding us by His Spirit to live as Jesus did, fixated on our relationship with Him.

Score: 10/10

2. How much of the lyrics line up with Scripture?

Most of it agrees with Scripture.  There are two lines in Verse 1, lines 5-8 that are not supported in Scripture, albeit minor.

Lyrics posted with permission.*

[Verse 1]

When I think about the day that’s coming

That is, the great and terrible day when Jesus comes again (Matthew 24:43, Acts 1:9-11, 1 Corinthians 11:26, 1 Thessalonians 5:2-4, 2 Peter 3:10, and Revelation 16:15).

Like a thief in the night to dark souls

Scripture says that Christ will come like a thief in the night (Matthew 24:43-44, 1 Thessalonians 5:2-4, 2 Peter 3:10, and  Revelation 16:15).

So I look above unto the heavens

Much like the five wise virgins in Matthew 25:1-13, Reese is on watch duty, awaiting Jesus’ triumphant return.

Father draw me closer help me grow

Summarized in John 15:1-11, God helps Reese abide in Him and mature to bear fruit.

Reminiscing of the days of Noah
How he warned them every day
Draw close to God the rain is coming
But they laughed and lived ungodly ways

According to Matthew 24:37-39, Jesus compares His second coming to the days of Noah.  The people carried on until Noah boarded the ark.  They did not understand until it was too late.

What is it that the people “did not understand”?  It was about the flood.  How can they not understand something unless someone tells them first?  It is the same with Christ’s second coming.  Many people won’t comprehend it until it’s too late.  This, combined with Noah as a preacher of righteousness (2 Peter 2:5), makes a Biblical case that Noah told others about the flood.

Did Noah warn them daily?  Possibly.  Was he met with laughter?  Perhaps.  Scripture doesn’t support these.  However, it says that the floods came because of mankind’s lifestyle (Genesis 6:1-7).

[Chorus]

Watch and Pray
The time is getting late

Reese instructs us to follow her example in Verse 1, line 3.

Keep your eyes on Him
The Way, the Truth, the Life

Reese invites us to fix our eyes on Jesus (Hebrews 12:2), who in John 14:6 claims to be the Way, Truth, and Life.

[Verse 2]

Are we living in a way that’s noble?
See the warnings of the end of time
Can you hear the Word as death surrounds us?
Is it Christ that rules your state of mind?

Rhetorical questions that essentially ask if we’re doing all for the glory of God (1 Corinthians 10:31), living holy lives (Leviticus 11:44-45, Leviticus 19:2, Leviticus 20:7, Romans 6:1-14, Ephesians 4:1, Colossians 1:10-14, 1 Peter 1:13-16, and 1 Peter 2:16), in-tune with the Spirit’s leading (Psalm 143:10, Romans 8:5, Romans 8:14, Galatians 5:16-18, and Galatians 5:25), and following her example in Verse 1, line 3.

We have seen the plagues that killed so many
Don’t forget the wars of days gone by
We can feel the earth as it shakes the nations
Calamity comes, still some deny

We’ve experienced the beginning birth pains described in Matthew 24:6-8, yet, some will not believe Jesus.

[Verse 3]

But I think that this is just beginnings
Many woes will come as we move in time

See commentary on Verse 2, lines 5-8.

Don’t be shocked to see The world is blending
Preparing way for antichrist

Why should we become surprised?  God already told us the antichrist is coming.

All the earth will burn as God commands it
Even treasures of gold will be no more

As stated in 2 Peter 3:7-12, the earth will be destroyed by fire.  This is consistent with God’s promise, that He would never again destroy the world by water (Genesis 9:11).

What sacrifice we make defending
The reason that lies within the soul

This is another rhetorical question, asking us our reasons for our beliefs.  As Christians, it invites us to take the words of 2 Peter 3:15-16 seriously.

Score: 9/10

3. How would an outsider interpret the song?

I doubt that unbelievers will comprehend Reese’s core message.  It’s thick with Christianese language that imparts a sense of dread, as if something terrible will happen.  Reese mentions the antichrist, a hint that perhaps it’s about the “end of the world” that those Christians are blabbering about!  This, along with Reese’s mention of Christ and Noah, cements it as a Christian song, even if they don’t know how a thief or Noah fits into the picture.

I pray that Reese’s questions in Verse 2 will stir within the hearts of those who don’t believe, that they should get right with God.

Score: 7/10

4. What does this song glorify?

It glorifies God that Reese invites us to remain alert, sensitive to God’s leading and Christ’s second coming.

Score: 10/10

Closing Comments

Pocahontas Reese’s Watch and Pray is beautiful.  It implores us to prepare for Christ’s second coming by examining signs and living for God, bringing Him glory.  Though there are minor points about Noah that aren’t technically in the Bible, and some of its details will sail over many unbelievers’ heads, Reese’s warning is loud and clear: get right with God or suffer the consequences.

This song is inspirational, but not appropriate for corporate worship.

Final Score: 9/10

Artist Info

Track: Watch and Pray (listen to the song)

Artist: Pocahontas Reese

Album: N/A

Genre: Soul

Release Year: 2020 (YouTube)

Duration: 4:53

Agree?  Disagree?  Don’t be shy or have a cow!  Calmly and politely state your case in a comment, below.

*Copyright © 2020 ONE WORD Ministries. All rights reserved. Used by permission.